It is so true what they say: the days pass slowly but the years pass quickly. Some moments take what seems like forever and then I turn around and more than a week has passed since I last wrote.
Sunday before last was our church's The Church Has Left the Building event. After a brief worship that morning, more than 1,000 people left to serve in our community. Our group of 70 or so went to help at a special needs summer camp called Kingdom Ranch. The men cleared many trees and brush and completed many other jobs. Most of the women painted a small house near the front of the property so that a family could have a place to live while managing the grounds. Any child over Kindergarten had to go on the service projects with their parents (younger kids had fun at church all day), so William came and helped clear branches, picked up, and even helped me paint. His biggest job was helping put down painters tape all over the house which he took very seriously. I really enjoyed serving with him. It took a good part of the day and at the end we were so tired, but it was good to be the hands and feet of Christ in our community.
Monday was Francis's birthday. It was also his preliminary for his PhD. I'm proud to report he passed and is now officially a doctoral candidate! When he got home Robert was not feeling great so we had Layne's Chicken at home, but on Tuesday we did get to eat out at Texas Roadhouse. Francis loved all of his gifts from family including the gifts the kids picked out especially for him. He also loved the carrot cake the kids made an decorated for him. Overall it was a good birthday. I'm so happy he is mine.
Thursday was a big day. The kids and I got up early, piled in the car and drove south of Houston to Space Center Houston for Homeschool day. We met up with Angel, her mom, Ranger and Asher and had an amazing day! They had so many exhibits and presentations from scientists and astronauts. The kids got to see what the space shuttle actually looks like up close! They also saw the module from the first moon landing. My kids did not want to leave when it was time to go and I don't blame them one bit. there was so much to learn!!!
Friday evening the boys and Francis went on a very successful Father/son camping trip with our Sunday school class. Hannah and I had a picnic in the living room and then walked to two different parks to play. Hannah insisted on bringing all her babies with her but finally settled on bringing just three. She put them each in a swing on the playground and pushed them much to the amusement of passers-by. It was a good evening with my baby girl.
Saturday was another early morning. The boys got back, picked up Hannah and me and we drove the Blessington Farms outside of Houston. We met up with the whole Phillips clan and my kids got some much needed cousin Abby time. My father-in-law got his birthday presents a day early, and a good time was had by all. The weather was touch an go for a while, but it all turned out great. Talk about an exciting 3 days in a row! This time of year, we never slow down. Fun fun!
William is reading every chance he gets. He is also beginning to test the boundaries of rules as he asserts his independence. He's not doing anything particularly bad or wrong, just trying to figure out life. I love him and his amazing brain. It is never dull with him around and I never know what question I am going to get next.
Robert is also sharp as a tack. He thinks up situations that never enter my mind and then asks every question he can think about said situation. He is also so cuddly still and I will hold on to every moment of it for as long as it lasts. He is just too cute (something William refuses to be called but Robert loves). He's also recently grown a bit and is hovering right at 40 inches. It was weird to see his shorts be over his knees one week and just above the next week. My day is not complete with out a sweet smile from his 4-year-old face.
Hannah is showing signs of becoming a preschooler. She is talking so much, making jokes, playing with her brother collaboratively, and and has an unmistakable personality. She lets you know what she is thinking and will make sure she gets her turn to talk or do whatever the boys are doing. She's getting tall and 3T clothing is currently the best fit for her 2-year-old frame. Like her brother Robert, she gives the best hugs. She can see you from across the room and come running at you to give you a huge hug. The boys know this and sometimes intercept these hugs from me because they are so amazing. Fortunately she usually has more than enough hugs to go around.
That's it for now. It's time to gear up for the rest of my crazy week and weekend. Till next time!
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Thursday, October 12, 2017
October 12, 2017
I can't believe it's been two weeks since my last post. So much has happened I have no hope of putting it all down.
Friday before last I awoke very early (after arriving with the kids and Francis in Dallas late the evening before) to catch the 6:00am flight to Denver. My amazing travelling companion was my sister Danielle! We were picked up at the airport by the bride-to-be Erin. We had a long but productive day getting all the decorations ready, having a bridesmaids lunch and getting checked into our hotel that evening (an adventure in itself!). Erin did introduce us to some pretty impressive Pizza, though, and the hotel we stayed in was just perfect. I went to bed completely wiped out, but glad I was able to be there for Erin. The breakfast that morning was amazing and after a few errands and brunch at a sweet little place near Georgetown, the bridesmaids, Danielle and Erin all got ready for the big event. Next we headed to the venue, which was a train station. Midway through setting up, a cold front came through and the rain started. That did not deter the dedicated crew and I stood cold but happy as Erin took her vows. The train ride reception was both unique and fun. Also, thankfully, it was warm and dry. Danielle and I sat across from another one of the bridesmaids, Lilly and her boyfriend. Together the four of us had a delightful time. After loading all the decorations back in the cars, We hugged Erin and Tom goodbye. Erin's sweet mom drove us back to a hotel by the airport that evening where we spent another short night.
Sunday morning we were up for a 7am flight. It ended up being extra fun because Dani and I were part of the first flight by Southwest's new MAX 8 airplanes. It was cool to be the first one to sit in a seat on a plane, and the crew was super peppy! Because we are crazy, we headed straight for the great State Fair of Texas upon landing in Dallas. We met up with the rest of the Noble Clan as well as Francis and my kids. Francis and the kids had done the Grapevine Aquarium, Legoland, and the Dallas Zoo all in the two days I was gone, so they are slightly crazy too. Anyway, the Fair was fun even though the puppet show wasn't there this year. It was nice to have Francis there for once since he usually has to stay home. Poor Alexandra fell off a tall step and hurt her foot. She's still healing so please be praying for her! My kids particularly loved the new Magic show and the fireworks. They've been reenacting both ever since (with Pokemon added in for good measure).
The week was a bit of a blur, but I did have Tutor training, Parent's night out (we had dinner and then relaxed at home...yeah we're old), and generally tried to get back in the groove. Thursday the kdis and I went on a CC field trip to Barrington Family Farm (the home of the 3rd president of Texas, and the Star of the Republic Museum at Washington-on-the-Brazos). The kids learned all about the 1850s. They did chores on the farm, saw all the animals, made old fashioned toys and were exhausted by the end. It was a good day full of fun and learning. I found out Hannah really loves washing clothes on a washboard and hanging them out to dry. Who knew? Saturday evening I went with Robin to see a local production of Beauty and the Beast. Turns out than in real life Belle and Gaston are engaged so that made some of the interactions more interesting/compelling than they would have likely been otherwise. Not sure how else to say that, but the show was very good!
This week we've been getting ready for Francis's birthday which is on Monday. I've been giving him a little gift each day (like a special edition luggage tag which I got from my special flight, or his favorite drink or snack, etc). I've also been making some of his favorite food. He doesn't get to pick very often and the kids usually don't want to eat what he loves (like Lasagna and Meatloaf) so this week he gets it all. We decorated today and will make and decorate the cake tomorrow (this is one of my favorite traditions to do with the kids!). Today we also spent most of the morning at Walmart so that the kids could each get a gift that they thought Daddy would like. This was hard for them, but after much thought, they each came up with something they thought Daddy would like. It is hard to get Francis stuff because he never tells you what he wants, but I think he will be pleased with what they chose.
Well that's it for now!
Friday before last I awoke very early (after arriving with the kids and Francis in Dallas late the evening before) to catch the 6:00am flight to Denver. My amazing travelling companion was my sister Danielle! We were picked up at the airport by the bride-to-be Erin. We had a long but productive day getting all the decorations ready, having a bridesmaids lunch and getting checked into our hotel that evening (an adventure in itself!). Erin did introduce us to some pretty impressive Pizza, though, and the hotel we stayed in was just perfect. I went to bed completely wiped out, but glad I was able to be there for Erin. The breakfast that morning was amazing and after a few errands and brunch at a sweet little place near Georgetown, the bridesmaids, Danielle and Erin all got ready for the big event. Next we headed to the venue, which was a train station. Midway through setting up, a cold front came through and the rain started. That did not deter the dedicated crew and I stood cold but happy as Erin took her vows. The train ride reception was both unique and fun. Also, thankfully, it was warm and dry. Danielle and I sat across from another one of the bridesmaids, Lilly and her boyfriend. Together the four of us had a delightful time. After loading all the decorations back in the cars, We hugged Erin and Tom goodbye. Erin's sweet mom drove us back to a hotel by the airport that evening where we spent another short night.
Sunday morning we were up for a 7am flight. It ended up being extra fun because Dani and I were part of the first flight by Southwest's new MAX 8 airplanes. It was cool to be the first one to sit in a seat on a plane, and the crew was super peppy! Because we are crazy, we headed straight for the great State Fair of Texas upon landing in Dallas. We met up with the rest of the Noble Clan as well as Francis and my kids. Francis and the kids had done the Grapevine Aquarium, Legoland, and the Dallas Zoo all in the two days I was gone, so they are slightly crazy too. Anyway, the Fair was fun even though the puppet show wasn't there this year. It was nice to have Francis there for once since he usually has to stay home. Poor Alexandra fell off a tall step and hurt her foot. She's still healing so please be praying for her! My kids particularly loved the new Magic show and the fireworks. They've been reenacting both ever since (with Pokemon added in for good measure).
The week was a bit of a blur, but I did have Tutor training, Parent's night out (we had dinner and then relaxed at home...yeah we're old), and generally tried to get back in the groove. Thursday the kdis and I went on a CC field trip to Barrington Family Farm (the home of the 3rd president of Texas, and the Star of the Republic Museum at Washington-on-the-Brazos). The kids learned all about the 1850s. They did chores on the farm, saw all the animals, made old fashioned toys and were exhausted by the end. It was a good day full of fun and learning. I found out Hannah really loves washing clothes on a washboard and hanging them out to dry. Who knew? Saturday evening I went with Robin to see a local production of Beauty and the Beast. Turns out than in real life Belle and Gaston are engaged so that made some of the interactions more interesting/compelling than they would have likely been otherwise. Not sure how else to say that, but the show was very good!
This week we've been getting ready for Francis's birthday which is on Monday. I've been giving him a little gift each day (like a special edition luggage tag which I got from my special flight, or his favorite drink or snack, etc). I've also been making some of his favorite food. He doesn't get to pick very often and the kids usually don't want to eat what he loves (like Lasagna and Meatloaf) so this week he gets it all. We decorated today and will make and decorate the cake tomorrow (this is one of my favorite traditions to do with the kids!). Today we also spent most of the morning at Walmart so that the kids could each get a gift that they thought Daddy would like. This was hard for them, but after much thought, they each came up with something they thought Daddy would like. It is hard to get Francis stuff because he never tells you what he wants, but I think he will be pleased with what they chose.
Well that's it for now!
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